Australia Day Message from Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Chris Moraitis

His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

On 26 January every year Australians come together to celebrate what is great about Australia, particularly our diverse society and great way of life. Australia Day is also a day for all Australians, including those living, working or travelling overseas, to reflect on what Australia has achieved, and to think about what kind of nation Australia should become in the future.
221 years after the arrival of the First Fleet on 26 January 1788, Australia Day has evolved to be much more than the marking of the anniversary of British settlement. Today it is a broader day of reflection on the Australian continent’s ancient and continuing Indigenous culture and a celebration of our democratic, free and multicultural society.
We are rightly proud of Australia’s democracy, our diversity, our vibrant cultural life, our Indigenous cultures and our unique landscapes. I am also particularly proud of the way Australia works in our region.

Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea is, by any measure, one of our deepest and most enduring. PNG is a very important friend and neighbour to Australia, and we connect on many different levels.

Our relationship is one of remarkable vitality, born of a shared history and geographical proximity, a mutual desire for strong democratic institutions operating under the role of law, and by our ongoing security, economic, tourism, educational links. We also connect through the strong people-to-people links formed over many decades through family ties, business, education, and on the sporting field.

We enjoy not only a tremendously strong sense of shared history, but an equally strong sense of a shared future. PNG plays an important leadership role in the region, and is well placed to assist our Pacific neighbours.

Last year was particularly positive for relations between our two countries, and I look forward to many more positive developments in the year ahead.

It was in Port Moresby, in March 2008, that Prime Minister Rudd chose to announce the Pacific Partnership for Development program that symbolises the shared sense of commitment that binds Australia and its Pacific neighbours.

The meeting of the Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum in Madang in April saw a number of ministers from both countries commit to a range of ambitious policy initiatives.

And PNG was one of four Pacific countries selected to participate in Australia’s Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme announced in August by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke.

Australia looks forward to continuing to work closely with PNG in the year ahead to develop common approaches to the range of challenges the region jointly confronts, including climate change, sustainable economic development, and promoting stronger governance.

In what will be his second visit to PNG in less than twelve months, Prime Minister Rudd will return this week to Port Moresby to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders Meeting on Fiji, hosted by Prime Minister Somare.

We also look forward to a number of other high-level visits in both directions, and the 19th Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum, later in the year.

I would like to wish my compatriots a very happy Australia Day 2009.

I also would like to take the opportunity to reaffirm to our PNG friends and colleagues our commitment to working closely with you in the year ahead to ensure an ever deepening positive and productive bilateral relationship.

His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

News flash - Papua New Guinea beat Cayman Islands by six wickets

Papua New Guinea beat the Cayman Islands by 6 wickets

Cayman Islands 121 all out (37.0 overs)

Papua New Guinea 122-4 (20.5 overs)

 

Uganda, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong get off to winning starts

ICC Media Release

24 January 2009

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Uganda was the star performer on the opening day of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3 after a dramatic 14-run win over Afghanistan.

But Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong also showed that it will be in contention at this tournament with impressive victories over Cayman Islands and Argentina respectively.

Ugandan coach Ebrahim Mohamed was delighted with his side’s performance after it managed to hold off a determined Afghanistan side, who recovered from a terrible start to get within touching distance of victory.

“I am very, very happy that we got a victory on the opening day and it will be tough challenging in the rest of the week,” said Ebrahim.

“I am sure we will only get better and better as the week goes on.”

Uganda, after winning the toss, made a solid start to its innings, with Arthur Kyobe (50) and Roger Mukasa (38) putting on a steady stand of 65 for the opening wicket.

Afghanistan showed good discipline in the field to cope with a powerful and attacking batting line-up, with Frank Nsubuga in particularly destructive mood with an excellent 62, including three sixes.

The pick of the Afghan bowlers was Samiullah Shenwari (3-32), although the usually reliable Hamid Hassan and Mohammad Nabi on the receiving end of some brutal hitting, including 17 off one Nabi over.

Afghanistan got off to a terrible start in reply with dreadful shot selections and some excellent Ugandan bowling, most notably from Man of the Match Kenneth Kamyuka (5-36) seeing it reduced to 23-5 and then 53-6.

But a brilliant 121-run partnership from Rais Ahmadzai (78) and Samiullah Shenwari (52), who combined some excellent hitting with some good placement, putting it within touching distance of a famous victory, until the fall of some late wickets left it 14 runs short of the target.

“We started off well and had a difficult middle period where we gave them too many easy singles which started to build the pressure on us. The more dot balls we bowled the more pressure there was on us at the end,” added the Ugandan coach.

“I am very sad for myself as I thought we were going to win this match at one stage,” said Rais Ahmadzai.

“But we have not lost the tournament and I believe that we can still recover.”

Five wickets for Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Rarua Dikana helped inspire his team to an excellent six-wicket win over Cayman Islands.

And PNG coach Martin Gleeson was pleased by the performance of his side and the manner in which it achieved its victory.

“It was not as easy a win as the scoreboard suggests. It may have looked easy but we had to work pretty hard in getting our wickets and to get ourselves back in the game,” said Gleeson.

“We wanted to get off to a good start and for our skipper to lead the way in the bowling was excellent.”

Cayman Islands, who were inserted into bat after losing the toss, had made a steady start, with Ainsley Hall (30) and Ramon Sealy (17) adding 43 for the opening wicket before Willie Gavera took the opening wicket.

Even at 81-2, the Cayman Islands were on track for a decent total, but the bowling of Dikana (5-14) sparked a dramatic collapse, leaving Pearson Best’s side with a disappointing total of 121 all out.

In reply, Papua New Guinea never looked like chasing a small target would worry the side, with a brilliant 51-ball innings from Vani Vagi Morea (64) the key to an opening stand of 97, as it reached its target with 29.1 overs to spare.

“We are here to play the best cricket we can and Vani plays an attractive style of cricket. I also have to point out that the running between the wickets was outstanding and that gave us a brilliant start,” added Gleeson.

An excellent wicket-keeping display from James Atkinson was the foundation of Hong Kong’s 7-wicket triumph over Argentina.

Atkinson claimed six dismissals as Argentina was dismissed for 107 all out, with Nadeem Ahmed taking three-wickets in an excellent all-round team bowling display.

And Hong Kong reached its target with relative ease with Zain Abbas (34 not out) playing a vital innings, although Argentina did have hope when it reduced the opposition to 30-2.

“It was really important to get off to a good start in this tournament,” said Atkinson, who won the Man of the Match Award.

“It is pleasing to get six dismissals, but it is more important that we got the wickets and recorded a victory.”

In Sunday’s fixtures, Afghanistan face Hong Kong in a repeat of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 4 Final, Uganda play Cayman Islands and Argentina face Papua New Guinea.

Study backs findings on Polynesian origins

AFP, WELLINGTON

Saturday, Jan 24, 2009

 

The ancestors of today's Polynesians originated in Taiwan around 5,200 years ago, spreading into the Philippines and eastward into the Pacific, according to a study of the region's languages that backs up the findings of other similar studies, the Taipei Times reports.

Scientists at Auckland University used computers to analyze the vocabulary of 400 Austronesian languages from Southeast Asia and the Pacific as part of their research into how the Pacific was settled.

The Austronesian language family is one of the largest in the world, including 1,200 languages spread across the Pacific region, professor Russell Gray said yesterday.

"By studying the basic vocabulary from these languages, such as words for animals, simple verbs, colors and numbers, we can trace how these languages evolved," Gray said.

"The relationships between these languages give us a detailed history of Pacific settlement," Gray said.

The results, published in the latest issue of the journal Science, show how migration from Taiwan paused for long periods.

Before entering the Philippines, the Austronesians paused in Southeast Asia for around a thousand years and then spread across the region from the Philippines to Polynesia in less than a thousand years.

After settling in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, the Austronesians stopped for another thousand years before spreading further into Polynesia and eventually reaching New Zealand, Hawaii and Easter Island.

New Zealand was believed to have been settled by the Maori about 700 to 800 years ago.

Research fellow Simon Greenhill said that the stages of the expansion could be linked with new technology, such as better voyaging canoes.

"Using these new technologies, the Austronesians and Polynesians were able to rapidly spread through the Pacific in one of the greatest human migrations ever," he said.

Other archeological and DNA research has supported the theory that Polynesians are linked to Taiwan's Aborigines.

Hero's welcome for Hudson pilot

The pilot who safely landed a jet in New York's Hudson River has received a hero's welcome in his hometown of Danville, California, BBC reports.

As thousands of people waved US flags and cheered loudly, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger said he and his crew were only doing their jobs.

Officials honoured his family with a ceremony on Danville's town green and presented him with a medal.

He is credited with saving the lives of all 155 passengers earlier this month.

But the celebrated captain gave credit to his crew.

 

'Miracle' on water

 

"Circumstance determined that it was this experienced crew that was scheduled to fly that particular flight on that particular day," he told the 3,000 or so people gathered to welcome him home in the San Francisco suburb.

"But I know I can speak for the entire crew when I tell you we were simply doing the job we were trained to do."

Mr Sullenberger's brief comments were his first since he safely landed the US Airways Airbus A320 on the icy river on 15 January, in what New York Gov David Paterson called "a miracle on the Hudson."

The former US Air Force pilot and air safety consultant was the last to leave the ditched airliner after ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew.

 

Wife's tribute

 

Mr Sullenberger's wife, Lorraine, said through tears that she was not surprised by her husband's heroism.

"I have always known him to be an exemplary pilot. I knew what the outcome would be that day because I knew my husband," she said.

"But mostly for me, he's the man that makes my cup of tea every morning," she added.

Mr Sullenberger, 57, was also given the keys to Danville and made an honorary Danville police officer.

His first full comments are expected in an interview with Katie Couric on the CBS show 60 Minutes, scheduled to air on 8 February.

Silicon Valley welcomes Obama

By Ian Hardy

North American Technology Correspondent

BBC  

 

It took only a few seconds for Barack Obama to go from ordinary citizen to the most powerful man in the world - the 44th President of the United States.

Many believe that his understanding and use of social networking tools to reach voters gave him a distinct advantage over other candidates.

He is well known as a fan of technology. He is an avid Blackberry user, the first president to air his weekly address via video websites and the first to have an official portrait taken with a digital camera.

So Silicon Valley leaders hope that the arrival of President Obama in the White House will mean a new enthusiasm for tech on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Eric Schmidt, boss of Google said: "During the Bush presidency there was not a lot of focus on technology.  

"It was not an administration that particularly focused on science, science policy, and investment in research and development. They focused on other issues.

"We've got a new president now, who has got a completely different agenda."

He said the change would have "a big impact globally on America".

Open network

There's no doubt that President Obama has a long hi-tech 'To Do' list. It was published on his campaign website and top of the list was net neutrality.

He is against allowing broadband suppliers to prioritise network traffic and charging a fee to websites and services for doing so because, as he said: "Once providers start to privilege some applications or websites over others then smaller voices get squeezed out and we all lose".

He said: "The internet is perhaps the most open network in history and we have to keep it that way."

With competition among ISPs almost non-existent in the US, broadband speeds and penetration are other issues the new President will have to look at.

As he put it: "It is unacceptable that the US ranks 15th in the world for broadband adoption.

"Here in the country that invented the internet, every child should get the chance to go online."

He will also be the first US president to have a chief technology officer staff who will oversee a massive effort to make government more transparent via the internet.

But that is just the beginning as far as Silicon Valley is concerned.

Jason Goldman, co-founder of micro-blogging site Twitter, said: "In terms of things like municipal wi-fi, even in populated areas, it is difficult to get free and easy access. If you look at the places that are further out it is difficult to get access.

"It is kind of ironic considering that America had this steadfast policy that you can get mail delivered wherever you are or you can get a phone to wherever you are."

Science now

One of Obama's longer term presidential promises is a concentration on maths and science in schools from a young age.

Some believe that is absolutely crucial for US success in the decades to come.

Intel chairman Craig Barrett said: "The big companies are great at creating the next generation of products.

"But the ideas for the future really come out of our tier one research universities: the MITs, the Stanfords, the Caltechs.

"The administration through its attitude towards funding basic research can accelerate the creation of those ideas."

President Obama has already said that this year the economy may get a lot worse, but for some people they believe that this is an ideal opportunity for the technology industry as a whole to re-evaluate its main goals.

In other words it's not just about making millions of dollars any more.

Biz Stone, the co-founder of Twitter said: "There is this sense that you are supposed to be doing more than just creating great products or a great company.

"There's some obligation to take a crack at some global issues.

"You don't have to solve them, you just have to make sure that they're part of the fabric of your company, that you have people in your company that are thinking 'Why else are we here besides working on this product. What else can we do? What else can we participate in?'"

 

Rainbow over Port Moresby

I took this picture of a rainbow over Port Moresby late yesterday afternoon as I was standing at a bus stop at Gerehu with my two elder sons Malum Jr and Gedi, and my daughter Moasing.

Twas a beautiful sight indeed!

In the foreground are children playing at a playground set up by National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop.

 

 

The Year of the Ox

According to Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2009 is a Year of the Ox which lasts from January 26, 2009 to February 14, 2010. The Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) does not begin on 1st of January, but on a date that corresponds with the second New Moon after the winter equinox, so it varies from year to year.

The years progress in cycles of 12 and each year is represented by an animal. The Year of the Ox is the second one in the 12-year cycle. The cycle of 12 repeats five times to form a large cycle of 60 years, and in each of the 12-year cycles, the animals are ascribed an element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water) with Yin or Yang characteristics, which determines their characters. The 60 years' circle is also called the Stem-Branch system. This New Year is the year of Ji Chou and 2009 is the 10th year in the current 60-year cycle.

Chinese calendar

The Chinese calendar has been in continuous use for centuries, which predates the International Calendar (based on the Gregorian Calendar) we use at the present day which goes back only some 425 years. The calendar measures time, from short durations of minutes and hours, to intervals of time measured in months, years, and centuries, entirely based on the astronomical observations of the movement of the sun, moon, and stars.

Years of the Ox

February 19, 1901 - February 7, 1902: Metal Ox

February 6, 1913 - January 25, 1914: Water Ox

January 25, 1925 - February 12, 1926: Wood Ox

February 11, 1937 - January 30, 1938: Fire Ox

January 29, 1949 - February 16, 1950: Earth Ox

February 15, 1961 - February 4, 1962: Metal Ox

February 3, 1973 - January 22, 1974: Water Ox

February 20, 1985 - February 8, 1986: Wood Ox

February 7, 1997 - January 28, 1998: Fire Ox

January 26, 2009 - February 14, 2010: Earth Ox

2021 - 2022: Metal Ox

2033 - 2034: Water Ox

Spring Festival

The oldest and most important festival in China is the Chinese New Year, which marks the first day of the lunar calendar and usually falls somewhere between late January and early February of the Gregorian calendar.

Like all Chinese traditional festivals, the date of the New Year is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar, which is divided into 12 months, each with about 29.5 days. One year has 24 solar terms in accordance with the changes of nature, stipulating the proper time for planting and harvesting. The first day of the first solar term is the Beginning of Spring, which cannot always fall on the first day of the year as in the Western Gregorian Calendar.

Besides celebrating the earth coming back to life and the start of plowing and sowing, this traditional festival is also a festival of reunions. No matter how far people are from their homes they will try their best to come back home for the reunion dinner.

Although the climax of the Spring Festival usually lasts three to five days, including New Year's Eve, the New Year season extends from the Laba Festival (mid-12th month) of the previous year to the Lantern Festival (middle of the first month of the lunar new year). The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year season and life becomes routine again.

What are Oxen like?

Pragmatic and down-to-earth, Ox people are motivated to work hard and have no respect for lazy or careless people. Although they can be easily trusted and find it easy to put trust in others, they are not dependent on friends and family and would rather find an answer or a solution themselves than to ask these people for help or guidance. However, others can, without a doubt rely on Oxen, who are always honest and meticulous about their responsibilities. While they do not feel the need for many distant or acquaintance-oriented friendships, they value the strong bonds they share with their partners and families, and make close friends that last a lifetime.

Though they are quite open-minded, once Ox people have made a decision about something, they rarely change it. This is a defining characteristic that can be seen as obstinacy, but it is actually the way an Ox learns to be strong, brave and straightforward. It is the way the Ox learned to take on tasks and responsibilities and how he learns to be reliable for others. Oxen are more comfortable with the well-known as opposed to the unfamiliar. Yet, beneath their unpretentious, tranquil exterior lies a heart of gold and a motivation to prosper.

They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.

(China.org.cn January 6, 2009)